Together in Sikkim’s Embrace: Sibu's Family Trip with Thrillophilia
It was pouring cats and dogs in Bangalore that day, so we were all indoors. With an important client meeting in two weeks, I was busy preparing a presentation for a client that we recently onboarded. If we could somehow tap into their requirements and deliver value, it would not only improve our portfolio but also strengthen our brand image in the industry.
"Dad, are we going on a family trip to Sikkim this time?" asked my son.
I thought about how I’d promised a trip to Sikkim last year but we couldn’t go.
“Yes we are” I replied, and reached out for my phone.
I decided to get on a phone call with the client to renegotiate the meeting hours, who surprisingly agreed to reschedule it for next month! It was as if this vacation was meant to happen, allowing us to finally enjoy the vacation we had been longing for.
Without wasting another second, I started looking for Sikkim tour packages on the web. I had heard about Thrillophilia from several people at my office so I thought of booking a package with them.
Guiding Through Sikkim's Wonders
Gangtok is not just a destination; it's a journey into the soul of the mountains.
I had been to the mountains before and had seen photos of Sikkim on various travel blogs. But visiting it myself was a totally different experience. The first place that we explored was Gangtok, which happens to be the capital of Sikkim.
We were supposed to cover two sites that day - Changu Lake and Baba Mandir Shrine.
The best part about our sightseeing tours was having Kishore Ji along, who was the driver assigned to us. Along with superb driving skills, he also had a great deal of knowledge about the region. On our way to Changu Lake, he told us how the melting snow from the surrounding mountains melts and goes to the lake. We also got to know that the name 'Tsomgo Lake' translates to 'source of water' in the local language.
We were really looking forward to visiting the Baba mandir, however, we couldn't do so, as the roads were closed due to heavy snowfall. We were a bit sad as we not only missed the trip to the temple but also the snowfall.
"Tension nahi sahab, abhi North Sikkim jayenge wahan bhi barf hain," said Kishore Ji.
"Having a helpful driver and guide along your journey is truly a blessing," I thought to myself.
And we continued exploring North Sikkim and discovered several places like Bhim Nala Waterfalls, and Chungthang. My personal favorite among all was the Gurudongmar Lake. How could it now be - it had snow all around it!
Kishore ji also told us about how a portion of the lake was once blessed by Guru Rimpoche, and it never freezes, even during winter. We enjoyed clicking some of the most memorable pictures of the trip by the lake.
My little one particularly loved visiting Yumthang Valley, also known as Sikkim’s 'Valley of Flowers'. It was something out of a dream, fields full of colorful flowers, stretching up to as far as our eyes could see - It was truly mesmerizing.
From Snow-Capped Heights to Blossoming Valleys
We thought that we felt blown away by Sikkim's natural beauty, but the truth is - we hadn't even seen half of it by then. As we moved towards Pelling, we were about to come across some of the region's most iconic tourist spots. Our first stop was Buddha Park in Ravangla, which was home to a 130-foot-tall Buddha Statue.
Next, we got the chance to visit another religious site called Namchi Chardham. My wife was amazed at how it housed the 12 Jyotirlingas and was also known by the name 'Siddhesvara Dham'. By that time, we had realized that Sikkim is a place that tends to fascinate you with its attractions at every corner.
We felt equally charmed by the Khecheopalri Lake, which according to Kishore Ji, happens to be more than 3,500 years old. Spending some quiet moments by the lake with my family was a truly magical experience. I felt so much gratitude for everything I had in my life, especially my family.
An Unexpected Delight
This part of the trip was a little surprise that I had planned for my family. During my discussion with Chanchal and Surabhi from Thrillophilia, I asked them to include Darjeeling in our itinerary since it was just 3 hours away from Pelling.
As we headed for Darjeeling, my family almost thought we were done with the trip, and it was time to bid farewell to the mountains. It wasn't until my son noticed the milestone on the way that said 'Darjeeling - 47 km', that they got to know about it.
My wife couldn't help but smile at the surprise - It'd been a while since I saw them so happy.
Our time in Darjeeling was truly unforgettable, we woke up early in the morning to witness the incredible sunrise at Tiger Hill. The scenery was so beautiful that I could revisit it just by closing my eyes. We also enjoyed the views of Mt. Kanchenjunga before heading for a scenic day trip to Mirik.
Upon the suggestion of Kishore Ji, we also visited the Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda, where we saw four avatars of Buddha including Maitreya Buddha.
The family trip to Sikkim was nothing short of a dream come true for me and my family. Kishore Ji's stories about the tourist attractions felt like a cherry on the cake. On our way back home, I decided that from now on, I'd plan a family trip every year, at least once.
Because, why not!
Read More: Thrillophilia Sikkim Reviews